A noirish character study of a young American in Paris, “Simon Killer” chillingly combines the classic amoral drifter out of James M. Cain with a very contemporary figure — the overemotional, overeducated, spineless slacker.

Recovering from a broken relationship in Paris, Brady Corbet’s Simon is an American ex-neuroscience student who becomes obsessed with a prostitute (Mati Diop) he tries to turn into his girlfriend by playing on her sympathies. In her troubles he has no interest, however, and he can’t even be bothered to learn her language. He points out that her business consists of taking a little money from a lot of men: Wouldn’t it be more efficient to take a lot of money from a few men? Except Simon, cowardly and hunched, doesn’t seem like the type to pull off a blackmail scheme.

The film doesn’t really lead anywhere, and the nondescript Corbet has nowhere near enough charisma to give this repellent any sinister charm. But writer-

director Antonio Campos, making excellent use of the queasy rhythms of a percussive musical score, keeps piling up the dread as we wonder just how dangerous Simon can be to the women who keep taking pity on him.